Loading means for freight cars



Feb. 7, 1939. T. w.' DEMA'REST v LOADING MEANS FOR FREIGHT CARS Filed March 12, 193s 9 sheets-sheet 1 3 W TNESSES."

ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 7, 1939. T. w. DEMARESTA LOADING MEANSVFQR FREIGHT GARS 9 Sheets-Sheet '2 Filed March 12,*1938 INVENTOR:

mas Wmamsi;

ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 7, 1939. b 1 W, DEMAR-E'sf v2,146,203

LOADING MEANS FOR.FRE1GHT GARS Filed March 12, 193s 9 sheets-sheet s' INVENTOR:

A TTORNE YS.

d 17m/m5 Wemamsz,

` IFeb. 7, 1939.

T.vw. DEMAREST LOADING MEANS FOR FREIGHT CRS` Filed March 12, 1958 sa sheets-sheet 4 .mw m

Feb. 7, 1939.

` LOADING MEANS FOR` FREIGHT CARS Filed Marchv 12, 193e Q'sheets-sheet 5 swg/m. .-.m

W1 TNSSES-- i l v Thomas Wmrs) 4 A TTORNE YS.

T. w. DEMAREST v 2,146,203

9 Sheets-Shee-t 6 T, W.DEMAREST LOADING `MEANS FOR FREIGHT CARS` Filed Maren 12, 195s Feb. 7, 1939.

` INVENTORL Thomas Wemares BY m /ULQ ATTORNEYS.

Ew@ im n@ WITNESSES:.

W www Feb. 7, 1939. T. w. DEMAREST LOADING MEANS FOR FREIGHT CARS,

Filed March l2, 1938 9 sheets-sheet 7 INVENTOR- 7720121615 Wemms ATTORNEYS.

- Feb. 7, 1.939.

T. w` DEMAREST 2,146,203 LOADING MEANS FOR FREIGHT GARS Eivled March 12, 195s 9 sheets-sheet s v al ` INVENTOR- @ZQM will l Thomas Wemares, Q/ @n -Bv www ATTORNEYS.

' Feb. 7, 1939.

LOADING MEANS FOR FREIGHT CARS Filed March 12, 193e' 9 sheets-sheet 9 Q/ y .BWM/@M y INVENTOR;

ATTORNEYS. l

l T. W. DIEMAREST 2,146,203 v Patented Feb. 7, 1939 PATENT OFFICE LOADING MEANS FOR FREIGHT CARS Thomas W. Demarest, Onley, Va., assignor to The Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 12, 1938, Serial No. 195,445

Claims. (Cl. 10S- 368) This inventionV has general reference to freight cars and, more particularly, to the type known as. double-deck cars equipped with means to facilitate their loading and unloading. Doubledeck freight cars are almost invariably used for the transport of bulk, large cases, or articles of substantially uniform size, such as automobiles, on railroads and the present invention relates to certain .improvements therein whereby they can be. more expeditiously and compactly loaded, or unloaded, from a conventional platform .without. the need of a relatively higher ramp or elevated platform to accommodate loading of the higher deck as is the general practice.

Another object isthe provision of a novel rotatable means` or `turntable .whereby automobiles `can be moved onto and from both decks of freightcars, of theindicated type, with a -minimum expenditure of timeand labor.

A further object is the provision of a combined elevator and turntable for double-deck freight cars which makes the entry and removal of automobiles easy.

`Other objects and ancillary advantages, Vand the mannerin which they are realized'in` practice, will be hereinafter set forth, or become apparent from a complete examination of the following descrip-tion, which, .considered in conjunction with.the.accornpanying sheets of drawings, disclosesone practical embodiment of the inventive features.

lGenerally stated,this invention embraces certain novel devices,.combnations of means, and arrangements of parts `hereinafter described, illustrated by the drawings, and more concisely `expressed in theclaims at the conclusion of this specication.

.In `the drawings:

.Fig.I is a transverse sectional elevation illus- `trating a double-deck freight car,` on a railroad siding, showing how the turntable feature included in the loading-elevating means of this invention operates in conjunction with a platform `from `which automobiles are individually moved into saidfreight car.

Fig. IIis abroken vertical longitudinal section of an intermediate portion of the freight car, and illustrating the improved loading means of thisinvention in its lowermost position.

lFig. IIa is `an extension of the `section from the right `hand end of Fig. II .to the forward end Fig. IV is a vertical transverse section on the plane IV-IV of Figs II andIII.

Fig. V is a broken vertical transverse section, taken approximately as indicated by arrows V-V in Fig. III, but drawn to a larger scale for purposes of clearer illustration.

Fig VI is a plan section, on a somewhat re duced scale, taken on the plane VI-VI in Fig. V, but with the turntable removed.

Fig. VII is a perspective view of the improved elevator of this invention, also with the turntable structure removed.

Fig. VIII is a larger scale detail section taken on the plane VIII- VIII in Fig. III.

Fig. IX is a sectional elevation on the plane IX-IX of Fig. III, also drawn to an increased scale for purposes of better illustration.

Fig. X is a perspective View of the stop means shown in, and looking towards, the right-hand of Fig. IX.

Fig. XI is a perspective larger scale detail View of a head-sheave and bearing for the elevator, as embraced within the dot-and-dash enclosure aof Fig. VII.

Fig. XII is a similar detail perspective View of one of the elevator take-up drums, included in the enclosure b of Fig. VII.

Fig. XIII is a perspective detail view of a corner bracket as included in the enclosure c of Fig. VII; and,

Fig. XIV is a similar perspective View of a bottom sheave arrangement of the elevator, embraced within the dot-and-dash enclosure d of Fig. VII.

In all the views, corresponding parts are desig? nated by like reference characters.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, Aa conventional double-deck freight car is comprehensively designated by the numeral I, which is mounted on .end trucks, the center casting for connection of one only being indicated at 2, Fig. IIa, said car having sides 3, ends 4, and a roof 5, all of which are constructed in accordance with known practice. The frame 6 of the car is of appropriate construction to support the oor 1, which it will be seen is recessed intermediate the truck inner wheels 8 with provision of a low intermediate longitudinal portion 9 having ramp ends i0; while the car side walls 3 are provided with central openings Il permitting side loading and unloading of the car I. Obviously, the openings Il are closable by suitable doors, not shown.

The elevator means of this invention consists of a, rectangular framework l2 of suitable longitudinal sections I3, rigidly connected together by similar transverse outer and inner sections I4, I5, respectively, and said latter sections are reinforced by spaced intervening braces It, for attachment thereto of floor panels Il, thereby providing a well or raceway I8, which is tted with a bottom or panel I9, having the edges upwardly iianged for attachment, as by rivets 20, to the longitudinals I3 and inner transverse sections I5.

The framework I2 is tted at its angular corners with sleeve-like brackets 2i slidably engaging vertical posts 2?. mounted at their lower ends in pedestals 23 on the car oor 1, and at their upper ends in the socket portions 24, 25, of special bearings 26, 21, in turn rigidly i'ixed to the car side walls 3. Each bearing 26 at one side of the car I, as best shown in Figs, VII and XI, in addition to embodying the socket portion 24, includes an attaching flange 28 and a relatively-spaced arm 29, between which is freely journaled a grooved sheave 39 around which is trained an elevating cable or the like 3l, having its one end secured at 32 to the aligning end of one of the framework longit'udinals I3. Each cable 3I is also trained around sheaves 33, 34, freely rotative in special housings 35, 35, rigidly secured, as by rivets 31, to one of the car oor transverse beams or cross-ties 38 between and attached to the lower ends of opposing door side posts 39, with the free end of each said cable passed through the outer aperture 48 of a cornerbracket 4I rigidly xed by securing means 42 to the opposing angular end of the framework I2, as readily understood from Figs. VII and XIII, more particularly. The corner-bracket 4I, it will be seen from Fig. XIII, embodies an attaching iiange 43, a stepped intermediate portion 24, and the bracketportionM which it is to be particularly remarked is upwardly and outwardly angled so that the attached end of the cable 3| is anchored thereto in direct alignment over the associated sheave 34. It is also to be observed the bracket stepped portion 44 nts a notching or cut-out 45 in the framework I2 to ensure greater rigidity.

Secured at 46 to an inner aperture 41 of each corner bracket 4I is the one end of a second elevator cable or the like 48, which is carried upwards, trained about, and permanently secured at its other end to a suitable winding drum 49 fast on a square-section shaft 59 having a bushing 5I and a bushing 52, the former 5I of which is rotative in the associated door head bearing 21, at one side of said drum, and the latter 52 engages a spaced bearing 53. The shaft 50 is rotative as desired by aid of a conventional hoisting mechanism, comprehensively designated 54 andpreferably mounted midway between the ends of said shaft. Now it will be readily understood that when the hoisting mechanism chain 55 is pulled downwards on side, the shaft 59 and associated i-.vinding drums 'I9 will be turned to exert an upward pull on the cables 48, and, through the medium of the corner brackets 4I, a corresponding pull on the cables 3I, whereby the elevator means I2 will be raised; and vice versa a downward pull on the opposite side of the chain 55 will permit automatic gravitation of descent of said elevator means I2 to the level of the car door sill 56, or into the car lower1 portion 9 onto the side sills 6', or its lowermost limit of travel.

suitably mounted within the car I are lower and upper supporting decks in the form of spaced tracks 51, 58, respectively, the former 51 of which are rigidly secured to the cross ties 38, and the latter 53 fixed to lateral brackets 59, in turn projecting inwardly from the car side walls 3, in an obvious manner. It is to be remarked that the lower tracks 51, merge upwards with the ramp ends III, Fig. IIa, to utilize all door space for carrying purposes,

In connection with the elevator means I2, there is provided a relatively revolvable part or turntable whereby the entry, positioning, or removal, ol automobiles, indicated by broken lines 60 in Figs, I, II, IIa and IV, to and from the car l is greatly expedited. Referring back to the bottom panel I9 of the elevator means I2, and to Figs. III, V and VI, more particularly, said panel is apertured or provided with a large central openinff 6I around the edge of which is rigidly secured an angle-section ring 62, affording attachment for a spider structure of appropriate sections 63, reinforced at the center to afford substantial support for a pivot bearing 64. This bearing 64 is shouldered at 65 for reception of a circular plate member 66 having secured to its peripheral underside spaced bearings 61 supporting freely revolvable anti-friction rollers 68, arranged to circumferentially traverse the raceway I8, outwardly of the ring 62 above referred to. rollers 68 in turn afford support for a second plate member or turntable 69 likewise freely engaging the pivot bearing shouldered part 65, and it is held in position by a headed pivot pin 10 that is permitted a minor degree of axial movement by a Cotter-pin 1I. In addition the turntable 69 is peripherally reinforced by an attached Z-section annulus 12, the lower flange 13 whereof is arranged for progression below the upper flanges 14 of Z-section arcuate guard rails 15, rigidly secured to the panel I9, with a limited degree of intervening clearance, as best shown in Fig. VIII.

Fixed on the turntable 69 are tracks 16 braced together by cross-ties 11, and said tracks are spaced for direct alignment with the upper or lower deck tracks, 51, 58, as later on explained. It is to be particularly observed that the tracks 16 are arranged to project to a much greater extent at one side of the turntable 69, to permit swinging of said turntable should another car I be on an adjoining railroad track as clearly understandable from Figs. I and III; or, in the event of any other obstruction on the non-loading side of the car. In addition, this feature facilitates balancing the automobile 6U relative to the axial ceter of the turntable, and to reach the loading platform 18 when the tracks 16 are swung through an angle of approximately fortyve degrees, in either direction, to each side of of the car I, so that an automobile 66 can be moved thereonto with the motor foremost, or its rear end in like position,

To prevent the automobile being moved too far inwardly of the turntable tracks 16, plural stops 19, 89 are conveniently mounted on the outer anking flanges 8| of said tracks, as best shown in Figs. IX and X. Each said stop 19 or 80 consists of an acute angled-section member having one iiange 'I9' or 80 apertured at 82 for free pivotal movement about a headed stud 83, with a relatively remote notch 84 for coaction with a suitable stop 85, on the opposing or inner track Iiange 86; while it is to be observed each such stop 'I9 or 80 is cut out at 81 to permit insertion or removal of the stud 83, and upwardangular movement of the stop 'I9 or 80 about ama-eos `front and rear axles for anchoring said automobiles, when loaded into the car l, against lengthwise shifting and vother displacement tendencies during transport.

From the foregoing disclosure it is thought the use and operation of theimproved loading means for freight cars, as herein described, will beselfevident, inasmuch as when loading the lower deck tracks 51 the elevator means |'2 will be first raised to the level of the car door sill 56 and the turntable 69 swung angularly outwards, as desired,

to the loading platform 18. An automobile 6(1 will then be moved onto the turntable tracks llt, if head foremost into engagement with the stops 19 and if tail foremost into engagement with the stops 80 for example, whereupon the turntable 69 will be moved to swing the automobile E into the car I and then lowered, so that said automobile is on a proper level for transfer to the tracks 51 and the desired position for anchoring by the devices 88, 89, in an obvious manner. When loading the upper deck tracks 58, it will be self-evident that after an automobile 60 is moved into the car I at the door sill level, the hoisting mechanism 54 will be operated to raise the elevator means I2 to the level of the upper deck tracks 58, whereupon said automobile is removable as aforesaid, due to alignment of the turntable tracks 16 with the tracks 58. Unloading of a car l of automobiles will, obviously, involve a reversal -of the operations just outlined.

Furthermore, while there has necessarily been described in detail one practical embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that it is intended to claim the same with all the breadth that may be permitted by the condition of the prior art, and without restriction to such details except as specifically recited in the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. Loading means for plural-deck transp-ort cars having side openings for the entry and removal of freight, comprising an elevator intermediate and lengthwise of said openings, and a turntable supported by the elevator adapted for inclination to the horizontal whereby the transfer of freight from without into the car for disposition on either deck is facilitated.

2. Loading means for plural-deck railroad cars having side openings for the entry and removal of freight, comprising an elevator intermediate and lengthwise of said openings, a turntable supported by the elevator with capacity for slight inclination to the horizontal, and said turntable having extension further to one side of its axis of rotation than to the other side for respective coaction with a loading platform and free clearance of other obstruction on the opposite side of the car.

`3. Loading meansfor double-deck automobile transporting cars having side openings for the entry and removal of the automobiles, comprising an elevator intermediate and extending lengthwise of said openings, a turntable rotatively and inclinably mounted on the elevator,

and said turntable having tracks for reception of an automobile which extend further to one side of the turntable axis than to the other and for respective coaction with a loading platform or. free clearance of paralleling similar cars and other obstruction.

4. In loading means for double-deck railroad cars for transportation of automobiles and having side openings for the entry and removal thereof, the combination of an elevator intermediate and extending lengthwise of the car side openings,

means for raising and lowering said elevator, a v

turntable pivotally mounted on said elevator with capacity for slight inclination to the horizontal and sustaining tracks for the reception of an automobile, Aand said tracks extending further to one side of the turntable pivot than to the other for respective projection onto a loading platform ,and free clearance of a paralleling car.

5. In loading means for railroad freight cars with lower and upper decks for transporting support of, automobiles and having side openings for central loading and removal of the automobiles, the combination of a framework elevator intermediate and extending lengthwise of the car side openings, said elevator having a central raceway withguard rails, means for raising and lowering the elevator, a turntable rotatably mounted in the elevator raceway and coactive with the guard rails for slight inclination to the horizontal to facilitate movement onto and off a proximate loading platform, angularly-flanged channel tracks on said turntable for the reception of an automobile and projecting further to one side of the pivotal axis than to the other for respective projection onto a loading platform and for free clearance of cars. on a paralleling railroad track, and plural stops disposable across the tracks at one end for abutment by the automobile wheels to effect alignment of its center of gravity with that of the turntable pivotal axis.

6. Loading means for railroad freight cars as defined in claim 5 wherein the elevator consists of a flat framework of longitudinal sections with end and spacedly inward transverse sections, in tervening sections bracing the transverse sec tions; panels covering in the upper elevator surfaces defined by the longitudinals, end and inwardly spaced transverse sections; another panel closing the lower elevator surface between the inwardly spaced transverse sections and defining an annular raceway; and a turntable `pivotally sustained by the last mentioned panel with ca-` pacity for free rotary movement and slight lnclination to the horizontal.

'7. Loading means for railroad freight cars as dened in claim 5 wherein the elevator consists of a flat framework of longitudinal sections with end and spacedly inward transverse sections, intervening sections bracing the transverse sections; panels covering in the upper elevator surfaces dened by the longitudinals, end and inwardly spaced transverse sections; an apertured panel partially closing-in the lower Yelevator surface between the inwardly spaced transverse sections with an upwardly directed flange around the aperture to define a raceway; a spider strucn ture sustained by said aperture flange; a pivot bearing centrally of the spider having a shouldered upper part; a circular plate member rotatable in said shouldered part; bearings spaced around the circular plate periphery with rollers coactive with the elevator raceway; a turntable sustained by the rollers and freely pivotal around the bearing shouldered part, said turntable having a substantially Z-section surrounding flange; arcuate Z-section guide rails in the elevator raceway coactive with the turntable Z-section free edge with a minor clearance to permit slight in- 1 clination of the turntable and to eliminate friction; a headed pin and cotter holding the turntable to the pivot bearing with capacity for axial movement; and angularly ilanged channelsection tracks on the turntable braced together proximate their ends by suitable cross-ties.

8. Loading means for railroad freight cars as dened in claim 5 wherein each turntable automobile stop comprises an acute-angled section, one ilange of said section being apertured at one end for free pivotal attachment by a headed stud to one of the track angular anges and the other end of said ilange notched for abutment with a stop on the opposing angular flange of the track; and the end of the other flange of the -section adjoining the headed stud being cut-out to facilitate insertion of the headed stud.

9. Loading means for railroad freight cars as defined in claim 5, wherein the elevator is of rectangular contour and is vertically guided by sleeve-like brackets at the angular corners, and the raising and lowering means includes cables fastened at one end to side aligning corners of the elevator, trained about freely rotative sheaves on the car sides and bottom, with attachment at their other ends to apertured brackets at the opposing corners of the elevator, other cables connected to said brackets and trained about winding drums on a common actuator shaft, and associated operating means for said shaft.

10. Loading means for railroad freight cars as defined in claim 5, wherein the elevator is of rectangular contour and is vertically guided by sleeve-like brackets at the angular corners, and the raising and lowering means includes cables fastened at one end to side aligning corners of the elevator, trained about freely rotative sheaves on the car sides and bottom, with attachment at their other ends to apertured brackets at the opposing corners of the elevator, other cables connected to said brackets and trained about winding drums on a common actuator shaft, each said bracket embodying an attaching flange with a relatively-stepped portion, and a laterally-proiecting continuation from the stepped portion, and spaced holes in the continuation for securing the cable ends thereto, and associated operating means for said shaft.

THOMAS W. DEMAREST. 

